Journal of Environmental Biology

Assessment of lichens as bioindicator of ambient  air heavy metal pollution in far-west Nepal

P. Nag¹, H. Rai², D.K. Upreti² and R.K. Gupta^3*       

¹Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Mahendra Multiple Campus, Nepalganj, Banke-21900, Nepal

²Lichenology Laboratory, Plant Diversity, Systematics and Herbarium Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226 001, India

³Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-210 05, India

*Corresponding Author Email : rajang.bot@bhu.ac.in                       *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8625-6936

Received: 24.05.2023                                                                                              Revised: 04.07.2023                                                                          Accepted: 08.07.2023

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this research was to identify a suitable lichen species as a bio-indicator for heavy metals in the Himalayan habitats.

Methodology: The study was conducted in a sacred grove located in Western Nepal. The grove was situated alongside the busy Mahakali National highway. Lichen samples were collected from different areas of the grove, ranging from the edge adjacent to the highway to the center. Standard protocols were employed to identify the collected lichen species. The heavy metal content in the samples were analyzed by subjecting them to acid digestion followed by AAS estimation.

Results: Three lichen species were discovered: Bulbothrix meizospora, Parmotrema tinctorum, and Pyxine berteriana. Pyxine berteriana was collected near the highway, while Bulbothrix meizospora and Parmotrema tinctorum were collected away from it. The heavy metal bioaccumulation pattern observed was as follows: Fe>Al>Mg>Zn>Cu>Pb>Mn>Ni>Cd>Cr. Notably, Pyxine berteriana exhibited the highest metal concentrations among the three species.

Interpretation: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the Physcioid lichen Pyxine berteriana is the most resilient species in the region and can serve as an appropriate bio-indicator for studying the deposition of heavy metals in the ambient air.        

Key words: Physcioid lichens, Pyxine berteriana, Parmotrema tinctorum, Lichens, Sacred Grove

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